Program helps children protect against predators

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — A school safety program is teaching children how to protect themselves from child predators. Only this approach doesn’t use the good touch, bad touch phrases.

Body Safety is a prevention and education program. Children learn that their body parts belong to them and they have a right to tell anyone “no” who tries to touch their private parts.

Recently, two Muncie men were arrested for child molestation, and investigators believe the Body Safety program informed the children on how to articulate to others that they have been violated.

Retired police Sgt. Terry Hall created the presentation to empower children on how to protect themselves from predators. Hall instructs parents to not call their children’s private parts nick names. Instead he encourages children and parents to identify the parts by real names.

According to Hall, he’s talked to more than 600,000 people. He estimates that between 7,000 and 9,000 victims have come forward.

“I’ve never had a program where some kid doesn’t come forward,” said Hall.

According to Hall, 85 percent to 90 percent of victims know the suspects. Hall also tells parents to be watchful of adults who show special interest in your child. He adds that interest could be innocent, or it could indicate that your child is being targeted.

“If someone is too good to your child, like taking them places and buying them things, they maybe too good to be true,” said Hall.

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